Moeller senior wins Enquirer's 'War Horse' essay contest

The Cincinnati Enquirer has announced that Moeller High School senior Mason Cooper won the recent "War Horse" essay contest.

"I'm glad I took the l time to enter the contest, and I'm surprised that such a relatively small amount of work and a bit of initiative paid off like this," Cooper said.

Cooper, a Mason resident, credits Moeller's information and technology manager Charlie Lytle for bringing the contest to his attention, and he wrote him a thank you note after he learned of his winning entry: "Mr. Lytle, I wanted to let you know that I submitted an essay for this contest and received a phone call today informing me that my entry won. Thank you for sending out a notice. I wouldn't have known about the contest if you hadn't sent out the email."

"Who knew doing something so simple would reap the rewards for our students," Lytle said. "Just help them open the doors..."

The Enquirer notified area schools March 13 about the essay contest, which also highlights the opening of "War Horse" at the Aronoff Center March 26. Students between the ages of 13-18 who love writing and animals were encouraged to submit a short essay about how an animal had influenced his or her life. The winner receives four tickets to the show's opening night, as well as a "War Horse"-themed gift basket.

Cincinnati Enquirer 'War Horse' essay entry

I remember when we first brought Lily home from the shelter years ago. I actually surprised my parents with my level of attachment to her. I was notorious for my disinterest in our pets, but something about Lily struck me from the beginning. My younger brothers grew bored with the new source of amusement quickly, abandoning it for television in a matter of minutes. Still, 12-and-a-half year old me sat on the floor, locked eyes with her, and smiled as she rested on my dad's lap, slowly taking in her new home.

Two years later I experienced the first of a series of leg surgeries that left me on crutches for most of my freshman and sophomore high school years. It was a bleak time for me. I missed five weeks of school for the first surgery alone and was rendered unable to leave my bed for the entire holiday season. And she seemed unable to leave my side. To someone memorizing the pattern the paint made on their ceiling, this was a huge deal. People were constantly busy - as constantly as she was there. I can't remember any prolonged period of time when she wasn't. It was unimaginably comforting to have a living creature there for me throughout the day. She was like a bearded, salt-and-pepper Batman, there to save my day, rescuing me from an ever creeping sense of loneliness. If anything, it was her loving, motherly, dark brown eyes, constantly gazing upon me, that made her presence so impactful. I could tell she was there because she cared.

Now she's a bit older, a bit fatter, but just as much my friend. As I move on to college I know she'll be waiting at home for my return and I'll certainly be missing her.

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Moeller senior wins Enquirer's 'War Horse' essay contest

The Cincinnati Enquirer has announced that Moeller High School senior Mason Cooper won the recent 'War Horse' essay contest.